Life Stages Research Articles

Loneliness or Solitude: Which Will We Experience?

Loneliness, social isolation, aloneness, and solitude are frequently used interchangeably but are actually different. Loneliness is particularly salient now, due to the international restrictions on social activities imposed as a result of COVID-19, which brought loneliness into open discussion worldwide. The article highlights loneliness as a multidimensional construct and reviews its impact on cognitive, behavioral and affective functioning. In doing so, particular attention is given to loneliness as it manifests through the various life stages, as well as how personal predisposition and contextual factors may exacerbate it. in this article we also review solitude, and a clear distinction between loneliness and solitude is established. Finally, we conclude by addressing the global claims of loneliness during the pandemic and its implications. We offer a point of view which may assist in coping with it.

RESPONSABILIDADE DE INDENIZAÇÃO POR ABANDONO AFETIVO PARENTAL

This research focuses on the study of repairing damages resulting from emotional abandonment, considering the application of Civil Liability. Although emotional abandonment is not explicitly regulated in the Brazilian legal system, doctrine and jurisprudence have shown an increasingly favorable and positive understanding. The study on the topic seeks to define the concept of family entity in an updated way, in addition to recognizing that human identity is influenced by the relationships and bonds we form throughout life. In the family context, these bonds are even more valuable, since it is through the family, especially in the first stages of life, that the individual develops a sense of belonging, learns to relate, form emotional bonds and develops the capacity for trust. and coexistence. Thus, civil compensation for moral damage resulting from emotional abandonment through compensation is appropriate, in addition to considering alternative measures that can be applied cumulatively to compensation by judges.

Learning to Hunt on the Go: Dietary Changes During Development of Rhinolophid Bats

Mammals may experience physical changes from birth, and their diet varies at different stages of life. This study investigates the impact of development on the diet composition of three horseshoe bats: Rhinolophus euryale, R. hipposideros, and R. ferrumequinum in the Basque Country, north of the Iberian Peninsula. The diets of juvenile and adult individuals of each species were obtained by analysing their droppings using metabarcoding and then compared at (1) the taxonomic and (2) prey trait levels (size, flying speed, hardness). The diets of juvenile and adult individuals of R. euryale and R. hipposideros showed significant differences at the taxonomic level and regarding prey traits. In contrast, in the case of R. ferrumequinum, we could only observe discernible diet patterns through the trait analysis. Additionally, we discovered a shared pattern: younger individuals tend to feed on easier-to-hunt and/or handle smaller and smoother prey. The varying degrees of dissimilarity between juvenile and adult diets observed in this study suggest that the relative importance of psychomotor development, foraging strategies, prey discrimination, and/or spatial learning may differ among species. These findings contribute to conservation efforts, especially by recognising the dietary needs of juveniles for their survival and successful development.

Impact of Microtopography and Neighborhood Effects on Individual Survival Across Life History Stages

Understanding drivers of plant community assembly and individual survival in forest ecosystems is crucial for effective conservation and management. While macro-scale factors influencing vegetation patterns are well documented, the combined impact of microtopographic variations and neighborhood effects at neighborhood scales, particularly in subtropical forests, requires further study. To contribute to this area of research, we established a 9.6 ha dynamic plot in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest to examine the interplay between microtopographic factors and neighborhood effects on individual plant survival across different life stages. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of microtopographic variables and neighborhood effects, with individual plant survival censused through repeated surveys at 5-year intervals. Mixed-effects models were employed to assess the combined influence of these factors across life stages. Our results reveal that both microtopographic factors and neighborhood effects significantly influence plant survival, with their impacts varying across life stages. Water availability, represented by flow direction, emerged as a consistently critical factor throughout all life stages. Elevation and the topographic position index showed significant positive effects on survival, particularly in later life stages, possibly reflecting adaptations to light acquisition and water drainage. The influence of topographic factors intensified with succession, while the impact of neighborhood effects, particularly asymmetric competition and conspecific negative density dependence, changed as plants matured. This study enhances our understanding of forest community assembly, emphasizing the importance of considering abiotic and biotic factors across multiple scales for effective forest conservation and management. It provides insights into mechanisms driving spatial variation in community composition, crucial for preserving biodiversity in heterogeneous forest landscapes.

Body fat variation and redistribution across different stages of life measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

The global obesity epidemic of all ages has increased the demand for accurate management of body fat in each stage of life. The primary aim of this study was to provide reference centiles of body fat indices for Chinese children and adults and compare those with ethnicities from USA using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The samples were drawn from two nationwide cross-sectional surveys of China Body Composition Life-course Study (2013-2023) and the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2018). Age- and sex-specific centile curves were generated for a set of fat measurements, including total fat mass (FM), fat mass index (FMI), body fat percentage (BF%), trunk-to-leg fat ratio (TLR), android-to-gynoid fat ratio (AGR) and visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio (VSR), using the general additive model for location scale and shape method. The age-related variations from childhood to adulthood were generally similar among Chinese, Non-Hispanic Whites, Non-Hispanic Blacks and Mexican American population, with distinct levels across races and ethnicities. For whole-body fat (FM, FMI, and BF%), Mexican American population consistently presented the highest levels before 40 years old, followed by Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black and Chinese individuals. For central fats indices, although the TLR and AGR levels in Chinese males were second to Mexican American counterparts in most stages of life, the VSR was much higher in Chinese than other races and ethnicities from eight years old. DXA-based centiles for body fat quantity and distribution in Chinese population aged 3-60 years old were presented, and their differences with other race and ethnicity were noted across periods from early childhood to middle adulthood. Our findings will promote age-, sex- and ethnic-specific assessment of life-course body fat and obesity-related risks in clinical practice.

Promoting collaborative care of the human body after cessation of life: Ubuntu beyond death

Background: South Africa is a diverse country that promises equality, dignity, linguistic and cultural rights to all its citizens. Therefore, understanding the cultural, religious and nursing practices in caring for the deceased body is crucial to ensure meaningful integrated care of the deceased body and collective mourning and support within a community.Objectives: This study aimed to strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing on caring for the human body at all stages of life and beyond death using Ubuntu principles.Method: A qualitative exploratory-descriptive design was used to understand the meaning of the human body after cessation of life within African, Christian and nursing practice. The study was conducted in three countries in Southern Africa (eSwatini, South Africa and Zimbabwe). Snowball and purposive sampling techniques were used to recruit participants. In-depth telephonic and face-to-face interviews were conducted. The data were analysed thematically.Results: To provide comprehensive insights, themes from the three population groups were integrated. Four main themes emerged from the thematic analysis: (1) death as an end to physical life, (2) cleanliness of the deceased body, (3) ritualisation of death and (4) beyond death and burial.Conclusion: Strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration is vital to providing comprehensive care for the body and spirit of the deceased. Understanding cultural and religious rituals helps with collective mourning and support in the community.Contribution: Reflecting on the meaning of the deceased body and the respect given to it during the process of transition into the spiritual world through ritualisation.

Exposure, body size, and zooplankton overland dispersal capacity

AbstractThe dormant life stages of freshwater zooplankton are generally resistant to environmental exposure, and this facilitates their overland dispersal. However, environmental exposure and overland dispersal are less well studied for the active life stages of freshwater zooplankton. To characterize empirically the longevity of active life stages out of water, survival time to air exposure was measured in the laboratory for seven cladoceran species using heartbeat cessation to signify survival time. Survival time increased with body dry weight with an allometric scaling exponent near 2/3 in both a single‐species model with Daphnia mendotae and a multispecies model with five bivalved species that included Bosmina longirostris, Acroperus harpae, Ceriodaphnia dubia, D. mendotae, and Daphnia magna. The 2/3 scaling exponent is consistent with Euclidean geometry and points to water loss across the surface of a spherical body as the cause. Survival time of a 6th species, Holopedium gibberum, was 618% longer than predictions based on the multispecies model, likely due to its gelatinous mantle. Survival time of a 7th species, Bythotrephes cederströmii, was 58–83% shorter than predictions based on the multispecies model, likely due to its lack of a bivalve carapace. The longest survival time of an individual was 225.4 min (H. gibberum). Results suggest that at landscape scales, body size could be a proxy for the geographic extent of overland dispersal capacity of the active life stage.

CIPAS Scale: Pilot Test for Evaluating Interaction Quality and Secure Attachment Potential

The adult's sensitivity to the child's communicative signals, their prompt and appropriate response to the child's needs for security, protection, and comfort, along with their ability to regulate emotions in the face of childhood stress, are parenting skills associated with attachment quality. Various instruments and observation scales code these constructs. Furthermore, developmental psychology has made significant contributions regarding the affective and communicative exchanges between parents and children during early stages of life and their implications for the formation of emotional bonds. The objective of this study is to describe the development and preliminary analysis of a new observation scale called: Quality of Interaction and Secure Attachment Potential (CIPAS), which aims to simply integrate the different parameters of the interactive relationship between attachment figures and children in early childhood. The construction process and initial psychometric analyses from a pilot sample are presented. The results showed very high inter-rater reliability, with an overall kappa value of κ=0.88. The relevance of CIPAS is discussed not only as a valuable tool for developmental psychology research but also as an effective instrument to guide educational practices in promoting secure attachment and quality interaction in young children.

A Comparative Analysis of Children’s Identity in Multilingual Settings in Two Distinct Areas of Southern Poland

The functioning of attitudes in multilingual settings has always evoked interest of researches (for example, Dewaele and Li, 2020). Nonetheless, there is still a gap concerning the knowledge about how the process is shaped in the early stages of life. The present paper is about to explore the attitudes of primary school children towards Polish, English, and regional dialect in two distinct areas of southern Poland. The main purpose is to investigate the following issues (i) how the status and the feeling of belonging are reflected in children’s responses, (ii) what their approach is in terms of learning languages (iii) to what extent social desirability influences their views. The study was conducted among two groups of primary school children, aged 7, 8, and 9. The data was gathered in reference to an interview with the students conducted in Polish. Children’s voices were recorded for their subsequent transcription. Findings depict how the status and the sense of belonging are different in each examined area, and how the emotional attachment to dialectal tradition may be rooted in children’s minds. In addition, the outcomes cleared out how children’s attitudes are being formed in multilingual environments, and whether school has a visible influence on those attitudes.

A systematic review of nurse objects as safe sites for seedling establishment and implications for restoration.

Direct human activity and global climatic changes are threatening the existence of many vegetated habitats. Seedling establishment, one of the riskiest plant life stages, must be successful for such habitats to persist. The establishment of seedlings is known to be enhanced by nurse effects, but most studies to date have looked at the nursing effects of plants while sidelining inanimate objects. Nevertheless, nurse objects can support seedling establishment via diverse mechanisms such as moderating abiotic stresses like extreme temperatures and drought, reducing negative biological interactions such as herbivory while enhancing positive processes like seed dispersal, and providing protection from physical disturbances such as trampling and fire. The robust nature of nurse objects highlights their potential in habitat restoration. The addition of nurse objects allows a simple, single-effort rehabilitation strategy that can later draw on natural seed dispersal and establishment. By achieving a better understanding of the processes in which nurse objects are involved we should be able to better predict vegetation dynamics and manipulate them to minimize adverse processes and support regeneration in natural habitats.

Effects of a Common Surfactant Sodium Lauryl Sulfate on Early Life Stages of Two Fish and One Amphibian Species

Effects of a Common Surfactant Sodium Lauryl Sulfate on Early Life Stages of Two Fish and One Amphibian Species

Delineating early life stages of Belone belone: analysis of external morphology and postcranial skeletal development of the garfish

During fish larvae development functional, morphological, and physiological adaptations are key in larval survival strategies and can determine mortality bottlenecks. For many fish groups such as needlefish, which play crucial roles in marine food webs, studies on early life stages are almost lacking. Herein, the development, with focus on the postcranial skeleton, of the garfish Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1761) is described and a staging system is introduced. Ten larval and juvenile life stages are proposed in three main phases: yolk sac, larval, and juvenile development. During the yolk sac phase the garfish deplete their yolk reservoirs and finish the development of their unpaired fins. During the larval period the lower jaw elongates and the needlenose stage is reached. In the juvenile phase, the upper jaw elongates until both jaws are almost equally long. Since B. belone larvae develop much of their postcranial skeleton in the late embryonic and yolk sac phases they might not experience a severe bottleneck in this early stage such as many other marine fish species. Therefore, young garfish could be more resilient to environmental changes.

Durable despite tension: Adult sibling relationships within family figurations

This article analyses adults’ experiences of sibling relationships in the context of the network of family and kin relations – namely, family figurations. In sociological research, there has been growing interest in qualitatively investigating siblings, a theme that was long overshadowed by the interest in intergenerational ties. This study contributes to the discussion on adult sibling relationships as significant and interconnected with other family relationships in individuals’ lives. Drawing upon Elias’ concept of figuration and Smart’s concept of the embeddedness of family relationships, I examine how sibling relationships are experienced in the life stage of family formation. Analysing 32 research interviews with women and men from 16 couples, the article shows three distinct dynamics of how sibling relationships are connected to family figuration. The study contributes to our understanding of how sibling relationships are experienced and lived as embedded within other family relationships. Furthermore, it demonstrates how figuration and embeddedness, two central concepts in family sociology, can be brought together to understand personal relationships in contemporary society.

Hyperandrogenism after menopause: diagnostic evaluation

Excessive androgen levels in women after menopause often result from an imbalance in ovarian steroid secretion: a rapid decline in estrogen secretion associated with a slow decrease in androgen secretion, compounded by a physiological decrease in sex hormone-binding globulin. Hyperandrogenism is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events and gynecological neoplasms, also impacting the emotional well-being of affected women. Therefore, the aim of these guidelines is to guide the clinical physician in the appropriate clinical and biochemical evaluation of hyperandrogenism after menopause, thus optimizing therapeutic outcomes. The most frequent consultation in this stage of life is facial hirsutism associated with hair loss. If the onset of signs is abrupt, severe, associated with virilization and accompanied by serum testosterone levels in the male range, it is necessary to rule out a tumoral origin. A thorough medical history guides the diagnosis. Determination of total testosterone using reliable methods and imaging studies are valid tools to assist when doubts arise in the differential diagnosis.

Unraveling Youth Indebtedness in China: A Case Study Based on the “Debtors Avengers” Community on Douban

Over-indebtedness is an increasingly serious issue among young people in China. Using Atlas.ti, this study analyzes textual data from the online community “Debtors Avengers” on Douban.com, applying a combined framework of life cycle and credit liberalization hypotheses. The findings reveal that youth indebtedness is not solely driven by irrational consumer behavior but is closely linked to economic activities during specific life stages. Structurally, it reflects sociofinancial digitization and normalized credit use. Factors such as life circumstances, financial literacy, labor market instability, and public safety risks contribute to a “debt spiral”. Addressing these challenges requires the refinement of financial policies, enhanced education, and intervention in financial aggression.

Everyone is searching for it and those who acquired it enjoy better mental health: a latent profile analysis of Chinese adolescents’ meaning in life

ObjectiveOne factor associated with rising rates of depression and anxiety among youth is a lack of meaning in life (MIL). The importance of living a meaningful and purposeful life cannot be overstressed, especially for adolescents who are in a critical life stage and have recently experienced a 3-year-long global health crisis, namely the COVID-19 pandemic. Although previous studies have examined adolescents’ MIL, the majority of them adopted a variable-centered approach. The present study adopts a person-centered approach to investigate the updated MIL among Chinese adolescents in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demographic factors related to profile classification, and the differences in mental health among adolescents in different MIL classes.MethodsA questionnaire assessing MIL, depression, anxiety, stress, and demographic information was administered to 1,196 Chinese adolescents (mean age = 13.07 ± 0.58; 44.73% were female individuals). A three-step latent profile analysis was conducted.Results and discussionThis study revealed that (1) adolescents can be categorized into three classes: high MIL, medium MIL, and low and searching MIL. (2) Adolescents from intact families with higher educated mothers were more likely to be classified as high MIL class rather than low MIL class. Furthermore, (3) adolescents with high MIL experienced the best mental health outcomes, those with medium MIL experienced moderate mental health, and those with low MIL, who were still searching for MIL, exhibited the poorest mental health. External support may be necessary in the search process for Chinese adolescents. Future research could explore the process of searching for MIL and identify the challenges adolescents encounter when developing their sense of MIL.

Adapting to Adulthood: A Review of Transition Strategies for Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), known as "brittle bone disease," presents a rare genetic disorder characterized by bone fragility, often accompanied by skeletal deformities and extraskeletal complications. OI is primarily associated with collagen type I defects, responsible for the syndromic nature of the disease affecting a broad range of tissues. As such, its multisystemic complexity necessitates multidisciplinary care approaches in all patient life stages. OI treatment remains largely supportive, commonly including bisphosphonates and orthopedic surgeries, which show promise in children. Although rehabilitation programs for children exist, guidelines for adult care and especially the transition from pediatric to adult care, are lagging behind in OI care and research. The current systematic review summarizes the literature on OI patient pediatric to adult care transition experiences and compares OI transition approaches to other chronic diseases. The review was performed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Systematic searches were conducted across multiple databases. Search terms encompassed synonyms and closely related phrases relevant to "OI" and "Transition to adult care". The initial screening involved the evaluation of article titles, followed by a thorough review of abstracts to assess relevance for the purpose of the current review. Programs aimed at easing the transition from pediatric to adult OI care necessitate a multifaceted approach. Collaborative efforts between different medical disciplines including pediatricians, endocrinologists, orthopedics, cardiology, pulmonology, ophthalmology, otolaryngologists, maxillofacial specialists, psychologists and medical genetics, are crucial for addressing the diverse needs of OI patients during this critical life phase. Comprehensive education, readiness assessments, personalized transition plans, and further follow-up are essential components of a structured transition framework. Further research is warranted to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of sequential stepwise transition systems tailored to individuals with OI.

Life Course Associations Between Ambient Fine Particulate Matter and the Prevalence of Prediabetes and Diabetes: A Longitudinal Cohort Study in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Both air pollution and diabetes are key urban challenges. The association between particulate matter with a diameter of <2.5 μm (PM2.5) exposure and prediabetes/diabetes in adults is well documented, but the health effects of life course exposure remain unclear. This study evaluated the impact of PM2.5 exposure throughout various life stages on the prevalence of prediabetes/diabetes in adulthood. We included 4,551 individuals with 19,593 medical visits from two open cohorts in Taiwan and Hong Kong between 2000 and 2018. Ambient PM2.5 exposure was assessed using a satellite-based model, delivering a 2-year average exposure at a resolution of 1 km2. Logistic mixed-effects models were used to investigate longitudinal associations between PM2.5 exposure and the prevalence of prediabetes/diabetes. Life course models were used to examine the impact of PM2.5 exposure at different life stages on prediabetes/diabetes in adulthood. Over an average follow-up period of 9.93 years, 1,660 individuals with prediabetes/diabetes were observed. For the longitudinal association, every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with an increased odds of having prediabetes/diabetes (odds ratio 1.32, 95% CI 1.13, 1.54). The odds of adulthood prediabetes/diabetes increased by 15%, 18%, and 29% for each 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 exposure during school age, adolescence, and adulthood, respectively. Our findings suggest a link between PM2.5 exposure during each life stage and the prevalence of prediabetes/diabetes in adulthood, with the health impacts of exposure during adulthood being slightly greater. This study underscores the need for life course air pollution control strategies to mitigate the substantial disease burden of diabetes.

AVALIAÇÃO NEUROPSICOLÓGICA NO TRANSTORNO DE ANSIEDADE GENERALIZADA NA INFÂNCIA E ADOLESCÊNCIA

This study aimed to explore the role of neuropsychological assessment in enhancing the efficacy of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) treatment in children and adolescents. Given the significant influence of emotional development during this life stage on the manifestation of fears and worries, a comprehensive understanding of each individual's psychological profile is essential. The high prevalence of GAD in childhood and adolescence underscores the critical need for early intervention to prevent chronic conditions and long-term consequences. A literature review reveals that psychological assessment in this population presents unique characteristics and is vital for identifying specific GAD symptoms, assessing symptom severity, and pinpointing preserved abilities. Additionally, neuropsychological assessment offers insights into how anxiety impacts the daily functioning of children and adolescents, aiding in the selection of tailored interventions. However, it is crucial to recognize that neuropsychological assessment is a complex process, and results must be interpreted cautiously considering the multifaceted nature of anxiety disorders and the influence of various factors. In conclusion, further research is imperative to deepen our understanding of the psychological dimensions of GAD in childhood and adolescence, thereby improving clinical practices and ensuring more effective treatment for this population.

Temperature and Abundance Effects on Spatial Structures of Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) at Different Life Stages in the Oceanographically Variable Gulf of Maine

ABSTRACTThe Gulf of Maine (GOM) northern shrimp, Pandalus borealis, once supported a significant winter fishery, but a moratorium has been placed on the fishery since 2014 because of a population collapse and recruitment failures that have been attributed to unfavorably warm water temperatures. The GOM is at the southernmost end of the northern shrimp's range, suggesting its population dynamics and distribution may be vulnerable to warming water temperatures. In this study, we used survey data to estimate spatial indicators for GOM northern shrimp at four life history stages to identify possible temporal trends and examine relationships between the indicators and northern shrimp abundance and bottom temperature. We observed patchier distributions over time, which were related to declining population abundance, and a distributional shift northward that was associated with warming bottom water temperatures. Northern shrimp habitat distribution was strongly associated with bottom temperature. Shrimp of all life stages were found in bottom waters cooler than the station's average bottom temperature.